Damiana 4:1

History and Uses:
Damiana is a small shrub native to the American Southwest, notably California and Texas, the southwestern regional areas of Mexico and the West Indies. Growing in dry, rocky climates, Damiana has been used for thousands of years in Latin American cultures, including the Mayans and Aztecs, ritualistically as a sexual stimulant and to treat respiratory disorders. It was also burned ceremoniously to enable participants to "see visions," and it is said that some people smoke Damiana in a waterpipe as a prelude to lovemaking. Considered to be an overall body tonic, Damiana is no longer considered an herb just for men, but may be used for a variety of ailments for both men and women. Damiana affects the nervous system, acting as an antidepressant that soothes anxiety, nervousness and mild depression and also promoting a general feeling of well-being. Damiana is said to stimulate circulation in the body, consequently raising energy levels to alleviate fatigue and stimulate weight loss. Other known uses for Damiana include acting as a mild laxative useful for relieving constipation, soothing headaches caused by menstruation, and thinning fluids resulting from asthma, colds and flu. Most research has been done on the essential oil of Damiana, which includes numerous small, fragrant substances called terpenes, and as yet, it is unclear if the essential oil is truly the main active fraction of Damiana. The leaves also contain the antimicrobial substance, arbutin, some alkaloids and other potentially important compounds.